There is tremendous interspecific variability in O3 sensitivity among C3 species, but variation among C4 species has been less clearly documented. It is also unclear whether stomatal conductance and leaf structure such as leaf mass per area (LMA) determine the variation in sensitivity to O3 across species. In this study, we investigated leaf morphological, chemical, and photosynthetic responses of 22 genotypes of four C4 bioenergy species (switchgrass, sorghum, maize, and miscanthus) to elevated O3 in side-by-side field experiments using free-air O3 concentration enrichment (FACE). The C4 species varied largely in leaf morphology, physiology, and nutrient composition. Elevated O3 did not alter leaf morphology, nutrient content, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and respiration in most genotypes but reduced net CO2 assimilation in maize and photosynthetic capacity in sorghum and maize. Species with lower LMA and higher stomatal conductance tended to show greater losses in photosynthetic rate and capacity in elevated O3 compared with species with higher LMA and lower stomatal conductance. Stomatal conductance was the strongest determinant of leaf photosynthetic rate and capacity. The response of both area- and mass-based leaf photosynthetic rate and capacity to elevated O3 were not affected by LMA directly but negatively influenced by LMA indirectly through stomatal conductance. These results demonstrate that there is significant variation in O3 sensitivity among C4 species with maize and sorghum showing greater sensitivity of photosynthesis to O3 than switchgrass and miscanthus. Interspecific variation in O3 sensitivity was determined by direct effects of stomatal conductance and indirect effects of LMA. This is the first study to provide a test of unifying theories explaining variation in O3 sensitivity in C4 bioenergy grasses. These findings advance understanding of O3 tolerance in C4 grasses and could aid in optimal placement of diverse C4 bioenergy feedstock across a polluted landscape.
Keywords: C4; FACE; leaf mass per area (LMA); ozone (O3); ozone sensitivity; photosynthesis; stomatal conductance.
© 2022 The Authors. Global Change Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.